OverviewThe Donated Works section displays treasures that have been generously donated to
the museum by individual collectors, including exquisite examples of painting,
ceramics, sculpture, lacquer ware, metal arts, tiles, and more.

Introduce

Dr. Park Byoung-rae (朴秉來, 1903-1974), whose pen name is Sujeong (水晶), was a medical doctor who wholeheartedly appreciated Korean fine art. In order to study and preserve Korean history, he spent more than a half-century collecting Korean ceramics, beginning in the 1920s while Korea was still under Japanese colonial rule. In March 1974, he donated 362 ceramics to the National Museum of Korea, so as to practice his belief that great cultural properties should be appreciated and studied by many people.

0His donated cultural properties are primarily ceramics made from kilns in Gwangju (Geumsa-ri and Bunwon-ri) between the 18th and 19th century, with white porcelain in underglaze cobalt blue being dominant. Consistently exuding elegance, these masterpieces are essential to the research and appreciation of white porcelain from the Joseon Dynasty. Of particular note is a range of Chinese ink water containers that once decorated the sarangbang of various Confucius scholars. In a myriad of shapes, these containers are a joy to behold, and clearly reflect his affection and love for Korean art. His fine taste is further exemplified by ceramics with simple beauty and precise patterns, such as a gourd-shaped white porcelain bottle with an orchid design in underglaze cobalt blue (Treasure No.1058).